City of Owen Sound
The city of Owen Sound is in the southwest part of Ontario. It is situated by the inlet of Georgian Bay at the junction of Sydenham and Pottawatomi Rivers. The Bruce Peninsula is near the city. As per the census of 2016, the population of Owen Sound was 21341. The population reduced by 1.6% than in the census of 2011. Charles Rankin started a settlement with the name Sydenham in around 1841 that was then renamed Owen Sound in 1851. The settlement was incorporated into a city in 1857. This city is a favorite destination for retired life in the province. Miamisburg in Ohio is Owen Sound’s sister city.
The Economy of Owen Sound
Owen Sound has industries that attract more than 90000 to work from Bruce and Grey Counties. It has a very diverse economy and very low unemployment rates. Since it is located near Georgian Bay, the city has major railway routes. This helps to move cargo across the Great Lakes. Tourism, farming, and agriculture are the major players in the economy of the city. Some of the major employers in Owen Sound include Transcontinental RBW Graphics, Tenneco Automotive, Hobart Food Equipment Group Canada Inc. MacLean Engineering & Marketing Co Ltd, BellWyck Packaging Solutions, Troy Life and Fire Safety Ltd, EC King Contracting. Grey Bruce Health Services, Bruce Grey Child & Family Services, Grey County, and the City. Then there are stores such as Michaels, Winners, Canadian Tire, Sears, Zehrs, Walmart, Home Depot, etc.
Attractions in Owen Sound
The natural beauty of Owen Sound got its championship in the National Communities in Bloom. It has many sports, cultural and historical events that attract many every year. These include the Summerfolk Music & Crafts Festival, Festival of Northern Lights, and Novel Marathon fundraiser. Lupercalia Festival, Georgian Bay Symphony, Owen Sound City Band, and Mudtown Music & Arts Festival. There are many museums Roxy Theatre, Community Waterfront Heritage Centre. The Black History Cairn, Owen Sound Farmer’s Market, Beth Ezekiel Synagogue.
How Much Does Car Insurance Cost in Owen Sound
The average cost of car insurance in Owen Sound is $1,531.
Cheapest Car Insurance Quotes in Owen Sound
| Rank | Auto Insurance Company | Annual Rate |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Travelers (Dominion Product) | $1,293 |
| 2 | The Cooperators | $1,319 |
| 3 | Travelers (Chieftain Product) | $1,356 |
| 4 | Belairdirect | $1,367 |
| 5 | Coseco | $1,441 |
| 6 | Johnson | $1,557 |
| 7 | Gore Mutual | $1,601 |
| 8 | Desjardins Insurance | $1,668 |
| 9 | Peel Manual | $1,824 |
| 10 | Economical | $1,887 |
Most Expensive Owen Sound Car Insurance
As per the above table, the Economical Insurance had the most expensive annual quote at $1887. Peel Manual had the next highest annual car insurance quote at a difference of $63. The variation between the lowest and the highest quote is 31.47%.
Cheapest Owen Sound Car Insurance Price
The above table compares auto insurance quotes by insurance providers in Owen Sound. Dominion Product by Travelers Insurance had the least expensive annual quote at $1293. At a difference of $26, the Co-operators Insurance had the next best annual car insurance quote.
Owen Sound Car Insurance Quotes for Neighborhoods
| Neighborhoods | Car Insurance can be as low as |
|---|---|
| Benallen | $970 |
| Brooke | $970 |
| Inglis Falls | $970 |
| Leith | $970 |
| Bognor | $1041 |
| Garryowen | $1041 |
Highest Auto Insurance Prices in Owen Sound Neighborhoods
The above comparison table of car insurance prices in Owen Sound neighborhoods. Interestingly, 2 neighborhoods had the same annual pricing for car insurance. These were Bognor and Garryowen. They had an annual car insurance quote of $1041.
Cheapest Auto Insurance Prices in Owen Sound Neighborhoods
As per comparison of Owen Sound neighborhoods, 4 neighborhoods had similar now annual quotes. These included Benallen, Brooke, Inglis Falls, and Leith neighborhoods. The annual quote for car insurance was $970 for these neighborhoods.
Life in Owen Sound
Though Owen Sound is famous as a retirement community this city has many amenities to live, work and play here.
Schooling
The city of Owen Sound has many schooling options. There are elementary, high schools, secondary schools, French immersion schools, and vocational institutes. The Georgian College has a campus in Owen Sound where they offer many programs including Marine Engineering and Technology.
Healthcare in Owen Sound
The Owen Sound Hospital is the largest under the healthcare service by the county of Grey and Bruce regions. The Grey County also offers paramedic services such as ambulances for Owen Sound. You may also use the Owen Sound Family Health Team for your healthcare needs.
Getting Around Owen Sound
You may easily get around the city and there are 800 parking spots. Owen Sound is conveniently located at the intersection of major provincial highways. These include highways 6, 21, 10, and 26 and give you access to the Bruce Peninsula. Grey Bruce Airbus connects the city to Toronto and Greyhound Canada also operates services in the city.
Owen Sound Public Transit
The Owen Sound Transit offers local transit routes. This conventional transit offers 4 routes on all days except Sundays. There is specialized door-to-door accessible transit for those who cannot use public transit. This is the Mobility Transit System and they offer services on all days except Sundays.
Ferry
The Owen Sound Transportation Co Ltd has a port in the city that offers ferry services. These connect the city to South Baymouth from Tobermory except during the winter season.
Airways
The city owns and operates the Billy Bishop Regional Airport. This links the city to the counties of Bruce and Grey. There are charter and sightseeing flights, airplane maintenance, and flight training all through the year. This airport is just about 5 km to the east of the city on highway 26. And this airport helps to connect the city for business and passenger travel for better economy. The sprawling airport complex is over 263 acres and has many private aircraft.
Owen Sound Emergency Services
The city has Owen Sound Fire & Emergency Services that offer many amenities to the residents. The fire department has a Fire Chief, 26 firefighters, a training officer, 2 prevention officers, and administrative staff.
Police Services in Owen Sound
The city of Owen Sound offers police services through the Police Service Board. You may also report a complaint to the By-Law Enforcement Officers.
Owen Sound City Initiatives
The Department of Public Works takes care of the repair and maintenance of the city infrastructure. They maintain around 280 km of roads and sidewalks in the city. You may find construction notices on the city website that could help you to plan your trip better. The city maintains culverts, roads, bridges, drainages such as ditches and catches basins. Concrete, asphalt, and gravel surfaces, sewers, streets, paths, sidewalks, and steps. They maintain traffic signage for guide rail and lines and road closures for events.
Winter Maintenance
The city clears the road of ice and snow by using many types of vehicles and equipment. These include 4 snow plowing trucks, 4 machines to clear sidewalks, a loader and blower, and 2 graders. Owen Sound city does winter maintenance of around 280 km of roadways, sidewalks, and walkways around 100 km. Paths, steps, 5 facility and municipal parking spots.
Owen Sound Transportation Master Plan (2010-2030)
The city has proposed several surveys, plans, studies, and reports for the development of the city. This also includes the Transportation Master Plan. The city approved this TMP in 2010 and includes many improvements for transportation and community services. They proposed the Transportation Master Plan for a period of 20 years. The plan covers the better use of highways, roads and an improvement in public transit with more service routes. They have focussed on active transportation such as walking and cycling for which they will have better sidewalks. The use of land and integration with transportation and traffic movement as part of the TMP will help the city.
Car Insurance Companies & Brokers in Owen Sound
| Insurance Company | Street | City | Province | Postal Code | Telephone Number |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BrokerLink | 1796 16th St E | Owen Sound | ON | N4K 5N3 | (519) 376-1774 |
| Bruce Boivin | 1510 20th St E | Owen Sound | ON | N4K 5R1 | (519) 376-3772 |
| Jason Legge | 1050 2nd Ave E Unit 1 | Owen Sound | ON | N4K 2H7 | (519) 376-8228 |
| Chatsworth Insurance Brokers Ltd | 1230 2nd Ave E | Owen Sound | ON | N4K 2J3 | (519) 372-1533 |
| Kathy Pecjak | 315 10th St W | Owen Sound | ON | N4K 3R4 | (519) 372-0236 |
* Methodology
For the survey, we assumed that the auto insurance premiums are for a 35-year-old man. He owns his car Honda Civic model 2012. The credit rating is good and he has basic liability coverage. The annual mileage ranges from 5,000 to 8,000 with no traffic tickets in the last 5 years.
Insurance quotes shown here are examples only. The lowest cost insurance provider depends on numerous factors related to the car, driver, location, and driving conditions. There’s no guarantee that the lowest rate provider in these examples produces the lowest rate for every driver.
About the Author: Valerie D. Hahn
